Cars - Smart Roadster

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	Cars - Smart Roadster

The Smart roadster and roadster-coupé were introduced in 2003, based on a stretched platform of the Fortwo (full length is 3427 mm). The two variants are meant to be reminiscent of the British roadster of yore, such as the Triumph Spitfire or the MG B. The roadster is powered by 45 or 60 kW (61 or 82 PS) versions of the turbocharged straight-3. The roadster-coupé used only the more powerful engine, although they are both available in Brabus-prepared versions with power increased to 74 kW (101 PS). The roadster-coupé's name is actually a misnomer, as the car possesses a targa top. With weight as low as 790 kg, because of low weight it is meant to provide the emotion of driving a sports car at an affordable cost. Still, the roadster's price is not very far from that of a Fiat Barchetta or Mazda MX-5.

In 2003, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Solituderennen, Smart created a prototype version of the roadster-coupé with two merged straight-3 engines. The twin turbo 1.4 L V6 powerplant had a maximum power of 125 kW (170 PS) for a weight of only 840 kg, and Smart claimed the car could accelerate to 100 Km/h in only six seconds, comparable to a much larger Porsche Boxster. Eight cars were built, but not available for sale.

Unfortunately, sales figures for the roadster and roadster-coupé have been far under the projected number and, with Smart's uncertain future, it was decided to halt production of both models at the end of 2005. The final Smart roadster ran off the production line on November 4, 2005.

Project Kimber and the "MG" Smart roadster

Project Kimber is an acquisition group, run by David James, that was founded to buy the assets of the MG Rover group.

In 2006, it was reported that David James had entered talks with MG Rover's new owners the Nanjing Automobile Group to buy the MG brand in order to produce a number of sports cars based on the Smart roadster design

On Friday February 17 2006, The Times newspaper reported that Mr James was in discussions with DaimlerChrysler to buy the roadster's design, technology and equipment for approximately £13 million. The equipment would be then transferred from the Smart factory to a former Dunlop tyre factory in Coventry where the roadster would be built under the MG brand.

It is understood that Project Kimber is being funded by Grant Gazdig's Access Capital firm, as well as a private equity firm called European American Securities.

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Cars - Smart Roadster

Project Kimber and the "MG" Smart roadster

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